Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

3. When a poor Soul is cast out of the prayers of Gods servants 'tis a sad sign that the Lord hath done with him. When the Lord rejected Soul, he was not willing that Samuel should continue praying for him. So concerning the Jews, when God was resolved against them, he said to his Prophet, Pray not thou for this people, for I will not hear thee, &c. Jer. 11.14. The Lord by a secret wonderful Providence, is wont to move the hearts of his praying people, in their Supplications before him, according to what is in his own heart to do. The Spirit of Prayer is also the Spirit of Prophecy; hence from the Spirit of Prayer we may conjecture, how it is like to fare with sinners. Consider of it, thou hast a ⟨p. 139⟩Friend, or a Relation perhaps, whose welfare thou hast been wont to pray for: Well, but now when thou art praying, it may be God doth cast it out of thy heart, that thou dost not remember to pray for such an one; or if out of Conscience to duty, thou dost pray for him, yet thy heart doth secretly misgive thee, that God will not answer thee. This now is a dreadful sign; suppose a poor Creature to be never so vile, yet if thou canst pray and believe for him, there is hope; but it not, 'tis sad.

3. When a poor Soul is cast out of the prayers of Gods servants 'tis a sad sign that the Lord hath done with him. When the Lord rejected Soul, he was not willing that Samuel should continue praying for him. So concerning the Jews, when God was resolved against them, he said to his Prophet, Pray not thou for this people, for I will not hear thee, &c. Jer. 11.14. The Lord by a secret wonderful Providence, is wont to move the hearts of his praying people, in their Supplications before him, according to what is in his own heart to do. The Spirit of Prayer is also the Spirit of Prophesie; hence from the Spirit of Prayer we may conjecture, how it is like to fare with sinners. Consider of it, thou hast a ⟨p. 139⟩Friend, or a Relation perhaps, whose welfare thou hast been wont to pray for: Well, but now when thou art praying, it may be God doth cast it out of thy heart, that thou dost not remember to pray for such an one; or if out of Conscience to duty, thou dost pray for him, yet thy heart doth secretly misgive thee, that God will not answer thee. This now is a dreadful sign; suppose a poor Creature to be never so vile, yet if thou canst pray and believe for him, there is hope; but it not, 'tis sad.